How Gucci’s Sabato De Sarno brought the big, bold, and better philosophy with the chunky platform loafers

All it took was a single (Horsebit platform loafer) strut, and it’s a new era at the House of Gucci. Hitting a reset on Alessandro Michele’s divine maximalism, new creative director Sabato De Sarno’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Ancora (which in Italian translates to ‘again’), married everyday essentials with masterful tailoring featuring immaculate suiting, little white tees, and plain, embossed shift dresses.

While the looks were super minimal, on foot, a new style of shoe made its debut. The models filed out in chunky platform loafers that took the collection to a whole different level. With a long-standing history that spans seven decades, the House’s iconic Horsebit loafer boasts an impeccable savoir faire that still stands the test of time. Crafted from Gucci Rosso Ancora leather, Sabato brought the big, bold and better philosophy to the emblematic design, building a bridge between all the versions of the brand we know, love and honour, from past to present. The footwear came in the brand-new Gucci red but also in its classic tan monogram canvas, as well as its signature green-and-red stripe boasting equestrian influence and unparalleled craftsmanship. Gucci has been a lot of things, but it has never been minimal. Perhaps, Sabato did manage to walk the talk.

All images: Courtesy the brand

This article originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar India, March 2024, print issue. 

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